The Lotus Shoes
China

The Lotus Shoes

by Jane Yang

Women & Society Historical Fiction Literary Fiction 2025

Summary

In nineteenth-century China, bound feet known as “golden lilies” are considered essential to a woman’s marriage prospects and social standing. Little Flower, a talented young girl from a poor family, is sold into servitude as a muizai to Linjing, the privileged daughter of the wealthy Fong family. Despite their unequal positions, both girls possess qualities that could determine their futures: Little Flower has bound feet and an extraordinary gift for embroidery, while Linjing has the family connections and status that Little Flower can only dream of.

Jealous of Little Flower’s talents, Linjing does everything she can to keep her servant under her control. But when scandal destroys the Fong family’s standing, both women are cast out and sent to the Celibate Sisterhood, a community of women who weave silk and seek independence from traditional marriage. There, Little Flower’s embroidery attracts the attention of a nobleman, offering her a possible escape—but also putting her life in danger.

Rich in historical detail, The Lotus Shoes explores female ambition, class divisions, and the restrictive traditions governing women’s lives. Through two women whose relationship shifts between rivalry and solidarity, Jane Yang examines the difficult choices women make to survive and the unexpected ways they can shape one another’s destinies.

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About the author
Jane Yang
Jane Yang

Jane Yang is an Australian novelist of Chinese heritage whose writing explores women’s lives, cultural traditions, family secrets, and the enduring influence of the past. Born in the Chinese enclave of Saigon, Vietnam, she grew up in Australia surrounded by family stories and traditional beliefs from China. Before becoming a novelist, Yang pursued a career in science, working first as a pharmacist and later in clinical research. Her scientific background contrasts with her fascination with superstition, folklore, and the stories passed down through generations. Her debut novel, The Lotus Shoes (2023), explores female friendship, foot-binding, and the restrictive social expectations faced by women in nineteenth-century China. Her second novel, Winter of the Bride (2027), follows two women whose lives become connected across a century through marriage, family secrets, and supernatural beliefs. Yang lives in Australia with her family.

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Details
Published
2025
Author
Jane Yang